Bravo Zulu

BLUF:  If you have or are concerned with mental health, talk to a professional and get help. Stay safe.

Reading through a very interesting article from the U.S. Naval Institute that was submitted by a Petty Officer Second Class concerning mental health and what they feel the Navy is doing good and could do better about. I interject my own opinions of it throughout the reading to lend just another point of view and my own perspective. Link is below to the original article itself. Big "BZ" to this Petty Officer for stepping up and submitting. 

https://www.usni.org/magazines/proceedings/2021/november/navy-should-expand-mental-health-resources

When organizations (Military) ask employee's (Troops) to talk about diversity (in uniform) you generally get some watered down, measured for safety responses. This wasn't that place or setting. Enjoy the deep talk, varied opinions, and surprise takes on different topics the guests have found themselves in. 

In this episode we follow up with our previous guest Mike, who talks about his last three weeks after finding out he wasn't selected to Chief. How he responded and his way forward to better himself going into the January exam, and round two of attempting to join the Mess. We discuss the "just got to wait your turn" mentality of his rate, leaders and others. Then how the Navy fails to reform the system with drastic measures. 

Todays episode is guest hosted by Anthony aka Mr. Tickles! You just heard him episode 58 - PCS Nightmare, and he's back! If you haven't listened to that episode, go back and catch up before we jump into this one to get a little more background. Tickles, being prior enlisted covers down on his lived experience of the inherited differences of a Junior Officer vs Junior Enlisted. How trust, responsibility and accountability all play their own very specific roles at each rank level. 

Read and discussed the recent investigation findings put on on Navy Times concerning last years tragic fire that consumed the USS Bonhomme Richard while pier-side at Naval Base San Diego. A whole lot of people done messed up! Then drop an update to the channel, where I've been and what you can expect in the coming weeks and months. Thanks for being here!

Career long friend T.I. joins us in the studio! A Naval Aviator, no longer flying and now putting out press releases, or something like that. We sit down to talk about his hellish PCS move that has lasted almost 6months. 

Eddie is a 15yr Petty Officer First Class, who's been up for Chief 5 times. This is the first year actually being board eligible. Through adversity, both provided through the Navy and his own decisions, he's still trying to make the best of the cards he's been dealt. Will this be the year that he puts the past behind, and steps through the door? 

Mike visits us in the studio asking some questions and sharing with myself and brother-in-law Jerome, about the upcoming CPO Season and how he's feeling going into these final couple weeks before results come out. For those that don't know or unaware, U.S. Navy Chiefs are selected once a year by a board of Master Chiefs (E9) and high ranking Officers through a highly competitive and "secretive" board. Members sitting the board are not known until after the results are released. Being selected to Chief Petty Officer can be considered the culmination on ones enlisted career. Stay tuned for more about the CPO season as trying begins in the next week.